“I, Daedalus” composed by Andrea Price is inspired by the Greek myth of Daedalus, the brilliant craftsman whose inventions were as remarkable as they were tragic. The piece is through-composed, moving seamlessly between five distinct sections. Opening with a short, reflective introduction, it explores themes of ingenuity and ambition, building into moments of energy and reflection. The composition ultimately portrays the complex relationship between human creativity and its unforeseen consequences, evoking the timeless story of Daedalus and his ill-fated son, Icarus. After designing the labyrinth for King Minos, Daedalus and his son, Icarus, were imprisoned in a tower in Crete. Daedalus fashioned wings from feathers and wax, and father and son set out on their ill-fated escape. The music is through-composed, with a short introduction leading to five main sections:
I – Inventor in the Tower
II – Father and Son
III – Flight and Fall
IV – Lament
V – Seeker of Knowledge
The introduction is stately and dramatic; based on a four-note motif ‘G-E-C-Eb’ representing ancient Greece, which leads to the fast-paced, rhythmic Inventor in the Tower section with fanfare-like ideas and melodic moments, as Daedalus plans his escape and builds the famously ill-fated wings. Then follows a short slow section, Father and Son, in which the euphonium and solo cornet lead, representing Daedalus and Icarus respectively in their final moments before they make their escape. Flight and Fall sets off in a quick compound metre, with driving rhythms propelling the music forward, accompanying playful then soaring melodies shared across different sections of the band as the pair delight in successful flight. As this section progresses, tension builds, leading to one of the most famous moments in Greek mythology – Icarus falling from the sky. The music becomes dissonant, then despairing. The Lament is hymn-like, with a euphonium cadenza and slow, plaintive music from the band signalling Daedalus’ grief and remorse. At the start of the final section, Seeker of Knowledge, the music returns to a major tonality and brings back some of the musical material of the introduction before building to a triumphant finale featuring a tutti version of Daedalus’ theme, heard earlier in the euphonium solo. The music comes to a triumphant close with a final fanfare declaring Daedalus’ legacy.
Andrea Price is a prominent figure in brass band music and beyond, with her works performed by top ensembles such as Black Dyke and Fodens. She has a strong background as a percussionist, competing at the highest levels of the brass band world. As a composer, she’s known for her versatility, writing for both instrumental and vocal ensembles. Andrea is also a passionate educator, working extensively with youth groups and soloists, and she frequently serves as an adjudicator at major competitions.
